Interstitial Cystitis Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bladder

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder wall.

Answer: All of these

IC can affect people of any age, race or sex. Statistics do show that 90% of cases are women. The average age of onset is 40.

Answer: Urinary Tract Infection

IC can have some similar symptoms of the incorrect answers but is most similar to a UTI. The biggest difference between them is that a UTI is caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics. Since IC is not bacterial, antibiotics don't help IC patients.

The common symptoms are frequency of urination, urgency to urinate (accompanied by pain, pressure and/or spasms) Pain in the bladder, pelvic region, and/or urethral. IC patients have a wide variety of symptoms. Some have all the mentioned symptoms (plus other symptoms) while some have only a few.

Answer: Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy under general or regional anesthesia is to needed to check for glomerulations (pinpoint hemorrages) Before a cystoscopy there are other tests performed. Such as urine culture and potassium sensitivity test. It is not uncommon to suffer for years before receiving a diagnosis.

Answer: None of them

Researchers have yet to determine one specific cause. There are many theories that have been looked into. The one gaining the most attention in the medical community is a antiproliferative factor (APF) Which blocks the normal growth of cells in the bladder lining. APF is found almost exclusively in IC patients.

Many other theories are out there such as inflammatory response to injury, autoimmune disorder, undetected bacteria, and hereditary.

Answer: All of these

IC can cause stiffening of the bladder which can cause the bladder to hold less urine. Pelvic pain in women and painful ejaculation in men can be caused by intercourse. Frequent urination and pain can interfere with daily life. IC can make it difficult to sleep, leave home, work and enjoy social activities.

This can cause those with IC to suffer depression, anxiety and increased risk of suicide. The rate of suicide in IC patients is 3-4 times greater than the general population.

Answer: Allergies, Irritable Bowel Sydrome and Sensitive Skin

Allergies were found in more then 40% of IC patients in a IC study group population (general population is 22.5%) IBS was found in 25% (general population 2.9%) Sensitive skin was found in 22% (general population is 10%) All of the other conditions listed in the incorrect answers have a correlation to IC but at a lower percentage.

Answer: Ulcers

Since his discovery the ulcers are now called Hunner's ulcers. This symptom of IC affects 10% of cases. This difference has classified IC into two groups; ulcerative and non-ulcerative.

Answer: Skene

Even though it was a documented disease, it wasn't until 1987 that the US Institute of Health convened it's first meeting about IC. This is due in large part because from the 1950's-1980's much of the medical community believed IC to be a "hysterical" disease of women. This has been proven untrue. IC is not a psychosomatic disorder nor is it caused by stress.

Answer: Chocolate milk

Most individuals with IC have bladders sensitive to certain foods. There are many problematic foods/beverages that irritate the bladder of someone with IC. The most common are coffee and teas, cranberry and most fruit juices, carbonated beverages and chocolate.